Tournament Operations Lead – Senior Director

Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music and entertainment, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Our brands and properties division works with iconic brands and rights holders, supporting business growth through all marketing disciplines. We're a trusted partner to every major league, team and venue, building meaningful connections between brands, properties and fans.

Fixed Term Contract (start ASAP Jan 2026 – end Aug 2026)

Central Team Location: UK based pre-tournament; US based during tournament.

Wasserman is seeking an experienced Senior Director for Tournament Operations for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026. This role will lead end-to-end stadium operations across multiple US venues; working as a conduit on T&H communications, on-site troubleshooting, incident response, stadium manager oversight and stakeholder coordination.

It is a fast-paced, mission-critical role that ensures every stadium, every match and every guest experience is delivered with precision, clarity and confidence. Acting as the central escalation point for all tournament issues, the Senior Director will work closely with stadium managers, Wasserman cluster leads, client brand teams, FIFA counterparts and internal stakeholders.

The right candidate will thrive under intensity, lead with calm authority and ensure that - if a finger is pointed at Wasserman - we have clear processes, clear decisions and clear accountability at every step!

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Tournament & Stadium Operations

• Lead operational delivery at stadiums, including ticket troubleshooting, liaison with T&H on VIP/guest services, fan experience, tournaments rights delivery and on-site logistics.
• Manage and support stadium managers across all venues, providing clear direction, decision-making and escalation pathways.
• Establish and enforce operational protocols to ensure issues are resolved quickly and safely.

Troubleshooting, Risk & Incident Management

• Serve as the primary escalation point for stadium-related issues - including security incidents, access challenges, logistical disruptions (e.g., transport) or stakeholder concerns.
• Coordinate with stadium operations teams, security, FIFA staff and internal partners to deliver confident, timely decisions.
• Monitor emerging risks and ensure contingency plans are understood and activated when required.

Stakeholder Communication & Alignment

• Deliver clear, concise updates to the end client, Wasserman leadership, stadium teams and cluster managers.
• Provide daily operational reporting, incident logs and status updates to support transparent decision-making.
• Ensure all tournament communications, toolkits and operational guidance are fully understood and implemented.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with the FIFA Account Lead to align on approvals, workflows and communication requirements.
• Work with Wasserman cluster managers to ensure each region is equipped with accurate information, documentation and escalation paths.
• Liaise with brand teams to provide assurance, clarity and support around all on-the-ground operations.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Proven track record delivering major global sporting events in stadium or venue environments (e.g., Olympics, FIFA tournaments, UEFA competitions, Premier League, NFL, Copa Libertadores, CONCACAF, etc.).
• Experience leading complex, fast-moving operational environments under pressure and at scale.
• Strong background in rights delivery, ticketing operations, stadium logistics, crowd/guest management or similar.
• Exceptional ability to make rapid decisions, communicate clearly, and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Skilled in managing senior stakeholders, crisis scenarios and ambiguous or evolving information.
• Demonstrated leadership of dispersed teams or venue managers.
• Ability to work intense hours during tournament windows, including evenings and weekend

Wasserman does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

Wasserman is proudly an equal opportunity employer. We are always searching for the most passionate and talented people from all backgrounds and experiences to join us.

20 years into our evolution, we continue to expand services and geographies across the exciting and extraordinary worlds of sports, music, entertainment and culture.

We are committed to making a meaningful difference and driving real change when it comes to diversity equity and inclusion — not only among our employees, but in how we serve clients and push the industry at large.

If this sounds like a place you’d like to work, let’s talk!

Wasserman is a global leader in sports, music and entertainment. Founded in 2002, Wasserman represents many of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment figures, musical artists, brands and properties, empowering them to shape culture and captivate audiences worldwide.